Kendrick Lamar Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Kendrick Lamar’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $140 million, Kendrick Lamar stands out as an American rapper among the most popular and highest-paid artists globally. Over his career, he has amassed more than $250 million. Notably, in 2018, his earnings reached $60 million, placing him among the top entertainers of that year. As of now, Lamar has secured 17 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations, as well as a Pulitzer Prize for his album “Damn.”

The journey for Lamar gained significant traction with the release of his debut mixtape, “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year),” in 2003, which captured local attention and facilitated his signing with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

His follow-up projects, “Training Day” (2005) and “C4” (2009), showcased his developing style and lyrical skills. However, it was his 2010 mixtape, “Overly Dedicated,” that showcased his breakthrough on the national platform, receiving praise for its introspective narrative style. Lamar’s first studio album, “Section.80” (2011), reinforced his position in the hip-hop scene, addressing social issues relevant to the African-American community.

The release of his major-label debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” (2012), marked a significant milestone, receiving acclaim for its storytelling, conceptual depth, and production quality. Featuring hits like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” the album was a commercial triumph, securing Lamar’s reputation in the music industry.

His third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015), achieved both critical and commercial success, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and soul. Its themes of racial dynamics, personal conflict, and social commentary earned him multiple awards, including several Grammy Honors. Continuing this momentum, “Damn” (2017) brought him a Pulitzer Prize for Music, a historic achievement as the first non-classical and non-jazz artist to receive this recognition.

In addition to his studio work, Lamar’s impact also encompasses dynamic live performances, collaborations with diverse artists, and contributions to the soundtrack of the film “Black Panther,” featuring the hit track “All the Stars.”

Early Life

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. His journey into rap commenced during elementary school, significantly influenced by his idols Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. Three years prior to his birth, his parents relocated from the south side of Chicago to Compton, a decision prompted by his father’s engagement in gang activities, which led his mother to insist they leave together. The name Kendrick was bestowed by his mother in tribute to Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Despite facing hardships while growing up, Kendrick recalls fond memories and excelled academically as a straight-A student, producing award-winning essays and achieving remarkable test results at Centennial High School in Compton.

Career

At the age of 16, while still attending high school, Lamar introduced his first mixtape (“Youngest Head Nigga in Charge”) to the public, capturing the interest of local record labels almost immediately. He secured a contract withIn the early 2000s, Kendrick Lamar began his journey with Top Dawg Entertainment and later released another mixtape. By 2008 and 2009, he gained increased attention, featuring in a music video for Jay Rock’s “All My Life (in the Ghetto)” and receiving a co-sign from Lil Wayne. After signing with Lil Wayne, he adopted the name Kendrick Lamar, moving away from his stage name, K. Dot. He then put out another mixtape and re-released an earlier one using his real name. During 2010 and 2011, Lamar toured extensively and launched a popular mixtape along with an independent album. His major studio debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” hit the shelves on October 22, 2012, under Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment. The album achieved remarkable success, selling over 1.1 million copies in the U.S. alone and reaching #1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #2 on the “Billboard” 200 chart.

On his first appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Lamar performed the album’s lead singles, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” He also collaborated with Adam Levine and The Lonely Island in a digital short that inspired the single “YOLO.” Beyond his albums, Kendrick featured on numerous singles alongside popular artists such as Big Sean, Robin Thicke, Drake, 2 Chainz, Birdman, and J. Cole.

In September 2013, Kanye West announced Kendrick as the opening act for his solo headlining tour after five years, which promoted the album “Yeezus.” The following month, Lamar made an appearance on Eminem’s eighth studio album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” Then, in November, he was named Rapper of the Year by “GQ” magazine. In 2014, he received seven Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, though he did not win any awards. Kendrick featured on the remix of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” in May 2015, which reached #1 on the “Billboard” charts, and the music video won a Grammy for Best Music Video, along with an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

The album “To Pimp a Butterfly” was released in 2015, topping the “Billboard” 200 chart in the U.S., as well as in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. The album received critical acclaim for its diverse sounds and creativity, with many critics labeling it “groundbreaking” for Lamar’s ability to redefine the “rules” of hip-hop. At the 58th Grammy Awards, Kendrick won five Grammys for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” including Best Rap Album.

Kendrick’s subsequent album, “Damn,” was launched in 2017, achieving #1 on both the “Billboard” 200 chart and in Canada. The single “Humble” became his most successful, reaching #1 on the “Billboard” Hot 100, the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and the US Rap chart. Other notable singles from Lamar include “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “DNA.” By May 2017, “Damn” had achieved platinum certification. At the 60th annual Grammy Awards, he won awards for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rap/Sung Performance. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Lamar amassed nearly $60 million from various ventures.

Following the triumph of “Damn,” he produced and curated the soundtrack for Marvel’s “Black Panther,” which was met with universal acclaim from critics.and audiences. An Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song was earned by Lamar for the track “All the Stars.” In 2022, he unveiled his fifth studio album, titled “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” Notably, the “Big Steppers Tour,” which took place in 2023, became the highest-grossing rap tour in history, amassing over $110.9 million from 73 performances and nearly a million tickets sold.

Lamar made his acting debut in July 2018, appearing as Laces, a Dominican drug addict, in the Starz drama series “Power.” 50 Cent, a close friend and collaborator of Lamar’s, was the executive producer of the series and was instrumental in Lamar’s casting. Both critics and audiences praised his performance.

Kendrick Lamar Career Earnings By Year

• 2013 – $9 million
• 2014 – $9 million
• 2015 – $12 million
• 2016 – $19 million
• 2017 – $30 million
• 2018 – $60 million
• 2019 – $39 million
• 2020 – $5 million
• 2021 – $10 million
• 2022 – $10 million
• 2023 – $20 million

Total: $223 million

Accolades

Kendrick has, throughout his career, accumulated 17 Grammy Awards, made it onto the “Time” 100 List of the Most Influential People, and received two civic honors. His album “Damn” was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018, marking him as the first non-jazz or classical artist to receive this honor. With his thought-provoking lyrical content and rhymes, Lamar has been featured in numerous publications’ lists of the greatest rappers in history. He has sold over 70 million records within the United States alone and three of his studio albums were recognized in “Rolling Stone’s” 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personal Life

In 2015, Lamar became engaged to Whitney Alford, and they have two children together: a daughter named Uzi and a son named Enoch.

Kendrick is a former cannabis user who has converted and now practices devout Christianity. Initially, in the 2012 presidential election, Lamar declared he would not vote, but he later changed his stance and announced his support for Barack Obama in the days leading up to the election.

Real Estate

• In 2013, Kendrick purchased a modest home in Eastvale, California for $523,400.
• In 2017, he acquired a residence for $2.65 million in a gated community in Calabasas.
• In October 2019, Kendrick spent $9.7 million for a property in Manhattan Beach, California.
• In December 2022, Lamar secured a home in LA’s Bel Air for $16 million.
• In November 2023, he made an $8.6 million purchase of a four-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, NY.
• May 2024 saw Kendrick shell out $40 million for a lavish mansion in Brentwood, LA.